Innovate UK backs iPSC Development Initiative

Scottish cell and gene therapy manufacturing contract organisation RoslinCT, has received investment to collaborate with ReproCELL Europe Ltd, a UK-based stem cell company, on a £1.2million project to develop a faster, more cost-effective method of producing clinical-grade induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The investment comes from Innovate UK’s Medicines Manufacturing Round 2 competition, as part of the UK Government investment strategy in developing technology to transform health and social care. The partnership aims to develop an innovative strategy for the production of clinical iPSCs, by using a novel, safe RNA-based reprogramming method. This will enable quicker and safer generation of cells for both allogeneic and autologous therapies and provide scope for commercialisation and licensing of the generated cell lines to the biotechnology sector.

Janet Downie, CEO of RoslinCT, said: “This investment provides a fantastic opportunity to combine the expertise of RoslinCT and ReproCELL, enabling two Scottish SMEs to devlop a competitive and disruptive impact on the supply of clinical iPSCs, therefore accelerating the development of potentially life changing therapies.”

Dr David Bunton, CEO of ReproCELL commented: “The creation of therapeutic stem cells using RNA is the safest and fastest method available. When combined with the automation and manufacturing capabilities of RoslinCT, we aim to make it easy for companies with new therapies to rapidly and cost-efficiently enter clinical trials and then scale-up for commercial manufacturing.”